asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, as stated in his reply of 9th December, 1970, guidelines adopted by the EEC in relation to economic and monetary union have been presented as community positions in the negotiations; and, if so, if he will indicate Ireland's position thereon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
17.
We have accepted the Community's guidelines on economic and monetary union as set out in the Council of Ministers Resolution and Decisions of 8th and 9th February last. These are summarised in the first Report on the Progress of the Negotiations which was circulated to Deputies.
Is the Minister satisfied that Ireland is being consulted adequately in this matter and in a manner equal to that in which Britain is being consulted? In view of the report in today's Financial Times which says that the British are getting preferential treatment in this matter, that Mr. Barber attended the entire meeting this morning of the Finance Ministers of the Community and that the British last night attended a highly secret and restricted meeting of the deputies in relation to finance, can the Minister say whether he has been allowed access to these secret negotiations and, if not, why?
If the Deputy examines this report further he will find that the matters he is referring to relate to negotiations about to take place in the group of Ten which is distinct from the Six plus four applicants. This group consist of the ten richest western countries dealing with the international monetary crises.
Is the Minister aware that this report says that the most interesting feature to have emerged so far at Rome is that the British are operating as full members of the Community? That, evidently, does not apply to us.
Of course that is not true.
That is what the report says.
It may say so but it is not true.
Is the Minister suggesting that this was not a meeting of the Council of Ministers at the Community——
That is not what I said and therefore why does the Deputy ask whether I "suggest"?
Question No. 18.
So it is a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Community and one applicant country has access to it while the others have not. That is quite different from a meeting of Ministers of countries who happen to be members of the group of Ten meeting as such. The Minister knows that and he should not try to mislead the House.
The Deputy should not try to mislead the House in this regard. He knows that Britain is a member of the group of Ten but we are not.
I said that. Would the Minister not agree that while it is entirely proper for Britain to meet other members of the group of Ten as such, when it comes to a meeting of the Council of Ministers it is a different matter and that the Minister of another applicant country should be there?
I do not agree.
The Minister should agree and stand up for our rights.
I do stand up for our rights and so do this Government but the carry-on we are getting from over there and which is for political reasons is not helpful. Deputy FitzGerald is trying to keep his feet in both camps and it is about time he came down on one side or the other.
In which camps?
I had in mind the Fine Gael and Labour Parties but, now that the Deputy asks me, perhaps I might be more specific and say the camps within Fine Gael.
The Minister is not prepared to stand up for this country's rights and he has to attack the Opposition.
(Interruptions.)
Order. No. 18. The Minister for Transport and Power.
If all the Members of Fianna Fáil had their feet in Fianna Fáil camps it would be a happier party.
Does the Deputy approve of his leader's speech here on Northern Ireland? Would he like to tell us?
Order.
He has changed the subject.
Does the Deputy approve of Deputy Cosgrave's speech in this House on Northern Ireland? No answer.
(Interruptions.)
18.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power his attitude to the draft directive before the Council of Ministers of the EEC whereby each country must have in reserve at all times the equivalent of ninety days consumption of oil; and if he anticipates any difficulty for Ireland in complying with this or the existing directive on compulsorily held oil stock.
Under arrangements made by the OECD oil committee it has been the practice for a number of years past to maintain stocks of oil in all member countries equivalent at least to 65 days supply. The OECD recommended this year that this level should be raised to 90 days supply. The EEC directive is no more onerous than the OECD recommendation except that, as an EEC member, this country would be bound by the directive whereas the OECD recommendation is accepted voluntarily by member countries.
Thanks to the Whiddy Island stocks at Bantry Bay and the Fuels (Control of Supplies) Act, 1971, enacted in March, 1971, this country is now in a position to comply with the new OECD recommendation. We would, therefore, have sufficient reserve stocks to comply with the EEC directive if it were in force here. Our law in the matter would, however, have to be revised and this matter is under examination.
In view of the fact the first part of the reply was completely inaudible, I would be grateful if the Minister could have your permission to read the first part again.
That was the Deputy's fault.
It was the Minister for Finance who was shouting.
It was Deputy Bruton who was shouting.
Deputy Bruton was perfectly silent. The Minister was shouting.
(Interruptions.)
We are wasting time. The Minister would have it read over twice. We are behaving like children.